Providing title deeds to forest dwellers under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 was the focus of the interaction between children who live in forest areas and Forest Minister B. Ramanath Rai.
The meet on Wednesday was conducted by the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR). Ambika N., a class nine student from Davangere, said her family’s plea for land rights was declined despite filing an application several years ago.
Responding to their queries, Mr. Rai said he would write to the Union government to simplify rules for allotment of forestland being cultivated by the tribals.
Kripa Amar Alva, Chairperson of the commission, however, said lack of title deeds affects the children as their families are harassed for being illegal occupants. “There is a lot of ‘goondaism’ as they are not owners of the property and children are subjected to harassment along with their parents,” she said.
Other issues
Among other issues, the students complained about lack of transport facilities, no electricity, poor roads and the challenges pertaining to man-animal conflict.
Abhishek K.C., a class eight student who lives in Mudigere taluk of Chikkamagaluru district, said he along with four children have to cross a river to go to school. “There is a road next to our house but we are not allowed to use it by the estate owner,” he said.
